Jimbob66 Posted March 30, 2015 #1 Posted March 30, 2015 I am interested in changing the fork oil on my 2007 RSV. The bike has about 15k miles on it and its never been done. I have never changed fork oil on anything except dirt bikes in the past. What is the basic process for changing the fork oil on the RSV? Does the fairing have to come off ? Do have to jack the bike up and pull the fork tubes ? or can I just drain it some magic way and pour oil in the top ? Also, has anyone used a higher (or lower) weight oil for more (or less) rebound damping ? Synthetic ? Any tips would be appreciated.
Du-Rron Posted March 31, 2015 #2 Posted March 31, 2015 Jim See here http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?57207-Changing-the-Fork-Oil
djh3 Posted March 31, 2015 #3 Posted March 31, 2015 I put mine on the jack and removed the front tire. Depressurized the air from the forks. Removed the front tire, and then pulled the bolts or whatever you want to call them that are up in the bottom of the fork tubes that stop the oil from running out. Remove the valve cores from the input schrader valves. Put a drip pan under the forks when you pull the bolts. I just let mine drain over night. I suppose you could give them a shot of air thru the schrader valve, but I would be careful how much pressure you use as the max is 7psi for operation and not weight on the forks and you put pressure on it without those bolts in (I think maybe they are part of what hold the forks together) You don't want to blow them across the shop. Thats why I opted to let drain over night. When I serviced I went up a notch on the weight to 10w I think it was. I used Synthetic as thats what Cycle Gear had when I was there. Bad part is it takes just a very small smigin more than what comes in one container. I used a syringe looking thing I have to let the fluid drain from it into the forks. You cant force itin as there has to be a way for the air being displaced to get out.
BratmanXj Posted March 31, 2015 #4 Posted March 31, 2015 Exactly how I did mine, but I used a mighty-vac to refill. Pull 5psi of vacuum & flip the container upside-down to feed oil back into the forks. I did go to 12w fork oil as I'm 250lb and ride 2-up & loaded. Not to harsh (but is stiff) and solved a lot of fork dive issues.
sldunker Posted March 31, 2015 #5 Posted March 31, 2015 I have been considering changing my fork oil. I read the 'Changing the fork oil' in the tech section and am confused by one of the procedures. It is as follows ' -- you can reinstall the damper bolt and its small copper sealing washer with a little sealer on the threads. It is best to lower the front end so that compression of the forks and their inner components takes place and alignment of the damper rod meets with the access hole'. So are you suppose to lower the forks to the floor to compress them? If you do that how do you insert bolt? Maybe I am misunderstanding.
Jimbob66 Posted March 31, 2015 Author #6 Posted March 31, 2015 (edited) Thanks! This is what I needed. I had hoped there was an easier way to do it. I ride two up on this bike most of the time. Fork dive is what I am trying to resolve. I may go for the 12w oil. I was also a little confused about the lowering of the forks statement as well. Perhaps I just push up on them and insert the screw ? Edited March 31, 2015 by Jimbob66
MiCarl Posted March 31, 2015 #7 Posted March 31, 2015 The oil controls the damping, not the spring. You'd go to a heavier oil if it's bouncy. Heavier oil won't do much for the dive and will make the ride more harsh. You might consider dropping in a set of progressive springs rather than a heavier fork oil.
Semi-retired Posted May 15, 2015 #8 Posted May 15, 2015 I get the impression more guys have replaced their springs than actually just replaced their fork oil? (The reason I say that is, if you search this whole site for "change fork oil".....you get as many (or more) results for installing progressive springs than you do for putting in new oil. Why is that? Anyway, if all you hundreds of guys out there who have "only" replaced the oil are listening......when you got the bolts re-installed in the bottom of your forks and then proceeded to put the new oil in from the top.... 1. did you remove JUST the valve stem....or unbolt the entire brass valve housing from the top of your forks? 2. did you unbolt your handlebars to "get in there"? (Remove anything else....like go whole hog and take the fairing off??) 3. what EXACTLY did you use to pour, squirt, drizzle, coerce or in any other terms "GET" the new oil down that minuscule filler hole?? Thanks for any update! Michael
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